Land or lawn roller



Feb. 22,1927. 1,618,564

' A. E. BELL LAND OR LAWN R'oLLER Filed June 5, 1925 f l L Iv 4 J ATTORNEY.

' 11v VENTOR,

Patented Feb. 22, 1927.

UNITED, STATES.

ALEXANDER E. BELL, OF NORFOLK, VIRGINIA.

1,618,564 Fries."

PATENT' a LAND on LAWN ROLLER.

Application filed June 3, 1925. Serial No. 34,587. V

forced by metal. Moreover, where the metal ends are formed with sharp edges, this sometimes results in cutting the lawn, whereas round-edges avoid such cutting of the lawn,

and besides, such round edges are not likely to mar fences, pavements, curbings, etc., when the roller accidentally touches such objects.

One object of this invention is to, obtain the advantages and avoid the disadvantages referred to in the foregoing, but a very important object is to provide a lawn roller of this character which can be very quickly and easily formed at a comparatively low cost, and which will prove extremely durableand generally satisfactory.

Referring to the accompanying drawings to illustrate one form of the invention:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the complete lawn roller.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the completed roller, eliminating the handle and the metal frames which connect the handle to the axle of the roller.

Fig. 3 is an elevation of the metal frame which combines with the concrete to form the roller shown in Figure 2.

Fig. 4: is an elevation, viewed 'at right angles to Fig. 3, of the metal frame shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmental sectional view along the line aa of Fig. 4.

Referring to these drawings in detail, in which similar reference characters correspond to similar parts in the several views, and in which the handle 10 and connecting frames 11 may be of any appropriate construction, and secured to the ends of the axle 12 by any appropriate means.

The most important features of the invention are the castings 13 and their spacing and connecting elements shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5. Such spacing and connecting elements constitute threaded rods or bolts 14 and a hollow cylinder or tube 15. Referring now to Figure 5, it will be seen that each casting 13 consistsof an annular tread member 13, spokes 13 a hub 16, and an annular shoulder 17. The tread member 13 is L-- snaped in cross section, that is, formed of a cylindrical tread element which is curved at its outer margin and extends thence radially inward to form a flange 18. The spokes 13 include, respectively, a radial part 19 and a slanting part 20; that is, the part 20 is slanting with respect to the axis of this casting or wheel. t also slants inward from the outer circular face of the wheel. Each spoke 13 has an aperture 21 therethrough for reception of one of therods 14, and the outer faces of these radial parts 19 provide seats on which the nuts of rods let are snugly seated. o

The purpose of the flange or shoulder 17 is to provide an annular seat for the inner surface-Of one end of the tube 15. In other words, one end of this tube embraces the shoulder 17 of one wheel 13, and the other end of the tube embraces the shoulder 17 of the other wheel. In this connection, it should be understood that both wheels 13 are exactly alike, and may be cast from the same pattern. Extreme accuracy is not required as to the holes 21, so these may be provided in the original casting. The hubs 16 may be either bored or babbitted to provide smooth bearings for the axle 12 on which these wheels rotate, but no machining is required for the other parts of either wheel. The outer surfaces of the shoulders 17 may be provided with any appropriate cement or packing to form an oil-tight joint at each end of the tube 15, and the rods 14 hold the wheels and tubes in rigid relation with one another.

The purpose of this tube, around the shoulders 17, is three-fold, (first) to facili tate the quick, easy and accurate assembling of the wheels in rigid relation to one another, (second) providing a clearance, in the center of the concrete, around the axle 12, and (third) providing a reservoir for Vaseline or other lubricating material, to constantly and automatically lubricate the bearings 16. c

Having thus provided the metal frame shown in Figure 3, the manufacturer of these devices provides a floor or platform with a hole into which one of the hubs 16 snugly fits; he next provides a hollow cylinder which snugly fits around the wheels 13, one end of this hollow cylinder being seated on the the platform or floor into which the hub '16 extends, the other end of the hollow cylinder being open, so the concrete can be poured through the upper wheel 13, properly tamped through the openings between the spokes l3", and when the cylinder is filled to the level of the upper surface of the upper wheel, a trowel or other suitable device is used to remove any surplus concrete aboi e the upper wheel; and now, when the concrete is set, the roller, shown in Fig. 52, is complete, and the molding cylinder is to be removed for releasing this completed roller, and the entire device is completed by attaching the pushing and pulling means which includes the members 10 and 11. For the sake of greatest accuracy, the axle 12 should be in position when the nuts are tightened on the rod 1-1 and when the eoncrete is poured in the mold containing this structure shown in Fig. 3.

It is not my intention to limit my patent protection to the exact construction and arrangement here shown, for the inventive idea is susceptible of developments within the scope of the claim.

\Vhat I claim as my invention is:

In a device of the character described, the combination of two metal wheels each including a tread element and a flange, said flange extending radially inward toward the axis of each of the wheels, each wheel also including a tubular hub extending axially beyond the inner and outer radial planes of said tread element, each wheel also including a set of spaced spokes each of which comprises a relatively short apertured radial part and a relatively long axially inclined part, the axially inclined parts of the spokes being united with said flange and extending inwardly beyond the inner radial plane of said tread element, and the radial parts of the spokes being united with the inner end portion of the adjacent tubular hub; a tubular spacing member between the spokes of the wheels; headed and threaded rods extending through the apertures of said spokes and provided with nuts to combine with them and with the tubular spacing member sons to hold the two wheels in rigid relation to one another; and concrete moulded within said treads and between said flanges and embedding or completely surrounding said spokes and said headed rods and said nuts and thereby securing the rods and nuts in fixed relation to one another said hubs being eonnectable to an appropriate means for 'aausing the wheels and concrete to roll, for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I alfix my signature.

ALEXANDER E. BELL. 

